From the Desk of Stephen Samuels

I couldn’t be happier with the slate of Thrive honorees that our selection committee made last week. We had nearly 40 nominations to consider in six categories. Every one of them demonstrated such inspiring contributions to Kansas City neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the nature of an awards ceremony means that you have to choose a limited group to recognize on a particular day. Individuals like Margaret May and Steve Curtis, two tireless community leaders who set a remarkably high standard for the rest of us. Westside Housing, one of the oldest and most respected community development corporations in Kansas City, Missouri. The Giving Grove, which since 2013, has established 133 orchards across five counties in our metropolitan area. The new Linwood YMCA is an amazing new community asset with 21st century design and amenities. It serves over 85,000 Kansas City residents and will probably do even more by the looks of that pool and soon to be completed on-site medical clinic. And finally, one of the reasons that the Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood now calls itself “Kansas City’s Playground.” The transformed Concourse Park now includes renovated basketball and Futsal courts and the very popular 50’ embankment slide.

To all the nominees and all the other organizations and individuals in Kansas City who deserve to be recognized on a daily basis for their tireless efforts to make our city thrive, we say Thank You!! Not enough can be done to support these heroes who consider it their mission to serve and assist those in need. On behalf of the partners and sponsors who are bringing Thrive alive on September 28th, we hope to see you there to share in the celebration.

- Stephen Samuels, Executive Director

Thrive Honorees!

Meet the 2017 Thrive Honorees, an incredible group of organizations and leaders who work tirelessly to make our city thrive.

LISC closed an $800,000 loan with Hardesty Renaissance Economic Development Corporation to finance a part of the repurposing of Building 11 of the former Hardesty Federal Complex in the Historic Northeast of Kansas City, MO.

LISC, its community organizers, the Wyandotte County Health Department and our research partners, the Dotte Agency, kick off a new initiative to study the impact of community development investments on community health.

LISC has closed a $546,000 loan with Sunflower Development Group to fund part of the acquisition and renovation of the former Blenheim School located in the Tri-Blenheim neighborhood of Kansas City, Mo.